The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-27
AT THE THEATERS.
GRAND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES soGGARTH '

GRAND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES soGGARTH."
1.-THE Soggarth," an exceedingly well-written
play. built upon plot OF more than ordinary
interest, and acted by an unusually capable
company presented at the Grand Opera
house yesterday afternoon and evening to large
and we'll pleased audiences. In it's title, s'The
Soggarth" 1.-THE Prestl, the play is unfortunate,
for it conveys possible idea of its character,
is unattractive, and understood by very few.
However, it is fortunate in every other respect.
for it's story is good one. well told. and tine
company presenting it is very far above the
common level, containing weak members
Although its title is Irish, and it's is laid
in the land Of the shamrock, it lacks all the con-
entio nalities of the socailed Irish drama of the
period. and is play of more than average mer-
it. The scenery with which 1t is presented was
painted by Phil Goatcher expressly for the
piece. and furnishes by no means the least at
tractive feature of the play. In brief. the story
of 1.-THE Soggarth" is that of the murder of Neil
Mcguire, a young Irshman, tenant of Lord
Glenmore. which. following close upon the
heels of quarrel between the lord and the vic
tim. is laid at his lordship's door. Circumstan-
tial evidence of most conclusive charact err seems
to fix the crime upon the accused who is indict-
ed. imprisoned and about to be- tried for the
offense Silas Crane. agent of Lord Glenmore
who ia the real murderer, driven by conscience,
makes confession to the priest on the night be-
fore the trial, but the confession having been
made at the altar the priest is not able to reveal
it, and Glenmore is about TO be hanged for the
crime, when chance throwing Crane again into
the company of Father Mcguire, this time out
side the church, the guilty man repeats the
holy from secrecy and giving him
the opportunity to deliver the real culprit
to justice. The role of Sias Crane,
exsctIng and difficult part, is taken by Mr.. W.
w. Tho pson, who is entitled to distinction for
the unusually artistic manner in which it is as
sumed. AS a piece of character acting Mr.
Thompson's performance of the part is seldom
equaled. Miss Adele Belgrade. who takes the
role of Nourine Mcguire. is young woman of
talent who is seen to good advantage in the part.
Miss Maud White is quite clever as Elsie Ma
guinness. and Miss Conway is fully equal to the
requirements as Lady Pontifex. Messrs. McIn-
tosh, Martin. Holland, Vandenhof and Welles
portray the characters assigned them quite ca
psbly. and the caste Is uniformly good. The en-
gagement continues until Wednesday evening.
EwGL1sHs-'.rHE NIGHT OWLS"
1.-THE Night Owls" booted for the first time in
Indianapolis at Englishs Opera-house yesterday
afternoon, and repeated the performance in the
evening The company is headed by Nlanches-
ter & Jennings, two venerable relics in the mig
ger-singer" field. who passed the chestnut stage
before the present generation had being; be-
sides whom it ontains number of wellknown
variety performers of more or less ability. The
character of the performance is purely such
as is seen on the variety stage and is not sur
passingly good of its kind. Miss May Howard,
one Of the leading eerio-comic singers of the day
possesses a most excellent voice. and sang with
pleasing effect a number of ballads. Harry
MOTIFS. whose excellent Dutcn SpecaltleS nave
made him favorite, appears in his character
sketches. songs and dances. The hest features
of the performance are an unusually clever and
daring trapeze act by Nine Jutua and Geo,
Brown, and the vocal selections of Delauer and
Debrimont. Lizzie Mulvey is also entitled to
mention for her excellent dancing. Generally
speaking, the show is not up to the standard, but
possesses some features worthy of mention.
The company will be seen again to light and to-
morrow night
HEARTS OF OAK AT THE MUSEUM
Hearts of Oak" play that will never grow
old as long as there is an abiding respect for
honest sentiment and domestic affection, is the
current attraction at the Museum, and its popu-
larity was indicated by the large audiences that
gathered to see it yesterday, and cried and
laughed at its pathos and comedy. 1t is a simple
and home-like picture of New England life, so
simple and unpretentous to appeal most
strongly TO human sympathy, and to make a
play Of great dramatic effectiveness In natural
pathos, 90 scene on the stage excels that whore
Terry Dennison, old and blind, wanders back
home. to hear in the cemetery, from the lips of
his child. the sad story of his affection. Mr..
James A. Herne, the author of the play, who
assumes this part. gives it natural, pathetic
performance, which is most striking. Tho cast,
aside from him, is one of unusual excellence
The uncle Davy" of SIR. Clark. the Crystal
of Mollie Corcoran the Ruby of George Rob-
inson all being excellently done The piece wsr
put on the stage with fidelity and picturesque
propriety, the wreck scene being particularly
notable. The Museum is not likely TO have a
better attraction than this for long time. and
a large weeks business may be expected. the
sale of seats for the coming performances is
unusually large.
NOTES.
The race last night, at the Virginia-avenue
Rink, between Chester Spain and Harry L. Can
field, quite interesting, and the time was
remarkably fast. being 3:35. For one mile they
passed and repassed one another, and on the last
lap both came in tie. They will skate again
next Friday evening
AS Christmas souvenirs. Mr.. Will c. Dickson.
treasurer of the Grand Opera-house, yesterday
presented 70 ladies frequent attend
ants at the performances small book, with
Russia leather binding, giving diagrams Of all